Greensmith set for top-level debut

British driver Gus Greensmith will make his World Rally Car debut at Vodafone Rally de Portugal (30 May - 2 June) and could make more top-level appearances this season.

The 22-year-old is guaranteed at least one outing in a Ford Fiesta WRC as part of a comprehensive programme with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.

As well as a first taste of top-level competition, Greensmith will tackle 10 rounds of the new WRC 2 Pro Championship as part of the M-Sport Ford team. Joining him at the squad will be Polish driver Lukasz Pieniazek who gets a similar programme in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Greensmith has four years of WRC experience and tackled two seasons in two-wheel drive Fiestas before stepping up to the R5 model and WRC 2 in 2017.

He hopes to build on his 2018 record of four WRC 2 podiums by securing a maiden category victory and demonstrating his potential in the World Rally Car.

"I'm really proud to be driving for M-Sport Ford in WRC 2 Pro, and even prouder to be making my WRC debut in the team's third Ford Fiesta WRC at Rallye de Portugal," said Greensmith, who will be joined this year by new co-driver Elliott Edmondson.

"The highlight of my year will undoubtedly be Rally de Portugal, and it's a dream come true to be making my WRC debut."

Pieniazek joins M-Sport after two years in WRC 2, most recently at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia. His best result to date is second place.

Greensmith will start his 2019 campaign at the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo while Pieniazek will make his debut at the second round in Sweden.